mackie



De@ '14 1943y H. A MACKIE Re.y 22,404 y ROTARY OPERATIVE FASTENER original Filed spt. so, 1941 'alum HARRY, A. MAcmE,

- Ressued Dec. 14, 1943 lKm2-2,404

22,604 ROTARY OPERATIVE FASTENEB.

A. Mackie, lVlestwood, Calif., assignorto United-Carr Fastener Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Original No. 2,306,968, dated December 29, 1942,

Serial No. 412,992, September 30, 1941. Application forY reissue Ap*` 23, 1943, Serial No.

s claims. (Ci. fzs-221i I'I'his invention relates to improvements in ro tary operative type fasteners and installations thereof.

-.The chief object of my invention is the provision of a fastener device comprising a spring member adapted to be secured to one of a number of parts to be fastened together, and a rotary member adapted to be secured to another of the parts to be secured and having means interlocking with the spring member when turned to fastened position. My invention is directed particularly to a member forming a part of the fastener device and preferably adapted to engage the spring to limit movement of the spring toward the part to which ,it is attached while the members are in fastened engagement.

Other objects and uses of my invention will be apparent from inspection of the drawing and specification hereinbelow setrforth.

Referring to the drawing in which i have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig'. 1 is a front elevation showing two plates secured in face-to-face relation by my first form of fastener device:

Fig. 2 is a sectiontaken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1,. and showing operation of the device to support the spring member when the plates are subjected to forces tending to mov them apart flatwise;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken onr the line 3--3 of Fig. 1 and showing parts of the fastener device in unlocked relation; y

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of an installation showing two plates secured in face-to-face relation by my second form of fastener device;

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line4 6-6 of Fig. 5 showing the parts of the fastener device in normal locked relation;

Fig. 'l is a section similar to Fig. 6 showing parts of the fastener device in unlocked relation;

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig.'l showing operation of a part of thedevice to support the spring member when the plates are subjected to forces tending to move them apart atwise;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the supporting member showing a part of my first form of fastener device; and

Fig. 10 is a. section of the locking member forming a part of my second form oi' fastener device.

Referring to the installation illustrated in Figs. 1-4, I have shown one form of fastener device lwith which I have chosen to illustrate my liacent locking seat I1.

invention, comprising two units in the form of a spring member I and a. rotary member 2. The spring member I `is secured on the inner side 3 of a'flatsupportng plate 4 and the rotary member 2 is carried by a supporting plate 5 which is adapted to be secured in flat abutting relation to the plate l. The plate 4, in my preferred form, has an opening 6 surrounded by a frustreconi'cal embossment 1 (Fig. 3) and the plate 5 jhas an opening 8 surrounded by an embossment G (Fig. 4). The spring member I is made of a single piece of Wire having coils IIJ at its ends which act to receive a rivet by which the wire is secured to the plate 4 and which also operate to render the wire resilient. The wire I has a. portion intermediate its ends in the form of a. locking element II which is adapted for interlocking engagement with elements of the rotary member 2 when the rotary member is turned to fastened position.

The rotary member 2 has a head I2 and a shank I3 extending from the head having a tubular end I4.' The end It has a pair of spiral slots I5 therein and each of the slots provides a cam having a high point i6 (Fig. 4) and an ad- Tlie rotary member 2 is preferably secured to the plate 5 by a grommet I8 having aflange I9(Fig. 4) clinched over the embossment 8 after the stud member has been extendedthrough the plate 6 to limit withdrawal of the stud member. When the stud member is turned, the locking element II is drawn over the high points I6 of the slots I5 and thereafter snaps L' to the locking sea-ts I'I under the tension set up by thecoils I0.

lThe fastener device hereinabove described is well known in the art and forms no part of my present invention except as related to the novel means which I have provided for supporting the spring member I against forces tending to draw the spring member in the direction of the plate 3. In order to accomplish this purpose, I have provided a supporting member formed from one piece of relatively stiff material. The supporting member 20 is of generally plate-like form and has a rigid raised portion 2| provided with an opening 22 for receiving the tubular end Il of the shank of the rotary member. `Angular Walls 23'of predetermined length extend from opposite ends of the element 22 and terminate in outwardly extending flanges or end portions 24. Each of the end portions has an opening 25 (Fig. 9) for receiving a rivet by which the supporting member is secured to the plate 4. In

assembling the parts of my installatiomthe supporting member2l 'is disposed on the inner side -of the plate 4 with the flanges 24 abutting the inner surface 3 of the plate 4. Next.- the coils I of the spring memberV I are applied to the flanges 24 with.the openings defined by the coils in alignment with the openings 23 of the supporting member and the locking element inalignment with the opening 22 of the raised pormember so that with the aperture e1 the spring is provided on opposite sides with defiectable` The spring member and supporting member are secured in fixed relation to the plate 4 and to `eachother by means oi rivets 2B, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. When the parts are in assembly, the raised portion 2i ofthe supporting member is disposed intermediate the locking element II of the spring member and the plate 4 and spaced a predetermined distance from the .locking element II so as not to engage thelocking element when the same is moved` into fastened engagement within the seats I1. When the rotary member and spring member are in spring arms. The spring member 26* has a locking element intermediate the ends 23 providing embossments or seat portions III on opposite sides oi' the aperture 21 and these embossments or seat portions are preferably of arc-shape. Each embossment or seat portion has a gradually rising cam surface 3i extending from a low point adjacent one ofthe slots 23 and continuing to a high point 32 adjaoentthe other slot 28. An indentationv is provided intermediate the ends of each embossed portion providing locking recesses 3 3 adapted to receive a lateral projection carried by a rotary member 34. The-spring member 26l is disposed on the inner side of an inner interlocked engagement the raised portion 2i of the supporting member 2D underlies the locking element `of the spring member and is spaced a few thousandths of an inch therefrom, or only just barely farther than high point I6.

In operation, the 'supporting member 20 serves to support the spring member when the same is moved in the direction of the plate 4 while the spring member and rotary member are in fastened engagement. It has been found` with the distance over the of speed the wind enters between the seams of the plates tending to force the plates apart iiat` wise. When this happens, the rotary member tends to pull the spring member downwardly in the direction of the inner plate 4. As the force "tending to separate the plates is often substantially greater' than the strength'of the spring member, the spring member may be substantially distorted by beingfpulled toward the plate 4 per`.

mitting the plates to move apart a dangerous degree with respect to admitting air between the plates. The supporting member which I have provided as a part of my device operates to correct this condition to a great extent by limiting the distance which the spring member can be pulledsin the direction of the plate 4.` Thus, it will' be s :en from inspection of Fim ill that when the plates 4 and 6 are moved apartatwise the spring member can move in the direction ofthe plate 4 a distance not appreciably greater than that between the locking element I I and the supporting member 20 when the parts of the fastener device are in the fastened position `shown in Fig. V2. The spring is prevented from moving a greater distance by the supporting member 2|) which engages the locking elemodern high-speed aircraft that at high rates plate member' 35 with the aperture 21 thereof substantially in valignment with an aperture 38 (Fig. 6) of the plate 35.

- The rotary member 34 has a head 31 abutting the outer surface of an outer plate 33. A base portion 39 extends from the head 31 Vthrough an aperture 43 (Fig. 6) of the plate 38 and the aperture 38 of the plate 354. A. nose 4I forms a continuation of the base and extends through the opening 21 of the spring member. The rotary member 34 is preferably secured in assembly with the plate 38 by a split ring 42 which is snapped into agroove of the base 39after the rotary member has been extended through the plate. A pin 43 is driven or otherwise secured inthe nose 4I so that opposite'jends of the' pin extend laterally beyond the nose on opposite sides thereof in a direction transverse to the normal axis of the rotary member. In locking the fastener device the rotary member is moved into position substanment to prevent further distortion of the spring.

Thus, as a result of myinvention, it is impossible for the plates 4 and 5 to move apart\more than a relatively slight distance and co Vsequently there is no danger of the plates be forced apart an abnormal distance nor of the spring member being distortedbeyond the limits of its tensional strength. Y

Referring to Figs. 5-8, I have shown the use of a supporting member in combination with a second Vform of (rotary operative fastener. My second form of f tener'comprises a spring member 26-in the f rm of a plate which is preferably bowed longitudinally and provides an aperture 212 A pair of slots 23-23 extend `from opposite -sides of the aperture 21 (Fig. 5l a predetermined distance toward the longitudinal ends 23 of the y ceive the nose 4I and'crosspin 43. The supporttially as shown in Fig. '7 with the free ends 44rd the pin member 43 in registration with theslots 23` of the spring member. Rotation of the rotary member in a clock-wise direction viewing Fig. '1 causes the ends 44 ofthe pin `member to engage the cam portions 3l and the deflectable spring arms will thus be compressed until .the pin ends reach the locking recesses 33, whereupon the fastener is in locked position and is held against accidental unlocking by the tension of the spring against the pin 43. The fastener which I have just described is ynot new in itself and its novelty,

as respects the present invention, is related onlyl to its use in combination with a supporting member 45 which operates to limit movement ofthe Vspring, member inthe direction of the plate 35 in a manner similar to that in which the supporting member 20 of my first form of installation oper-- ates to limit movement of the spring member AI toward the plate 4.

The supporting member 45 is rigid in form and I preferably provides^fiat end portions 48, each of which has an aperture 41 for receiving a portion of a rivet 43 by which the same is secured to the inner face 49 of the plate 35. The supporting member has `an arc-shaped supporting element v 50 of predetermined height intermediate the ends 46 and the supporting element has an aperture II (Fig. 10) of suillcient length andwidth to reing member 45 is applied to the inner surface 48 i of the plate 35 with the opening 5I in alignment with the opening 33 of the plate 35. Theends 23 ofthe spring member 26 are supported by the ends 43 ofthe supporting member and the supporting member and springV member are secured in xed assembly with the plate 35 and with veach other by rivets 43 in the manner ciearly shown in Fig. l. It willbe leen that when the 'parts are ber.

t otherwise be rendered useless.

in final assembly the supporting'element 50 underlies the spring member 26 and is spaced a predetermined distance so as not to obstruct maximum compression of the spring member during the action by which the rotary member is turned into interlocked relation with the spring mem- It will be seen from inspection of Fig. 6 hat when the rotary member and spring mem#- sult, when the plates 35 and 38 are subiected'to forces tending to separate the same fiatwise (Fig` 8) the spring member can be pulled down in the direction of the plate 35, a distance equal onlyto the normal distance between the elements'when the parts are in locked engagement as shown in Fig. 6.

Thus, as shown in Fig. 8, thesupporting element [i operates to support the spring member 2lia so as to prevent the same from being distorted to a degreev causing the same tocrackjor I have chosen to illustrate the principles of my invention in connection with two forms of'rotary'- operative devices, but it isunderstood that thet theory of my invention could be applied to devices other than those specifically illustrated described. v v,

Although I have illustrated and described pre'- ferred forms of my invention, I do not wish toghe limited thereby because the scope of my invention is best defined by the following claims.

I claim:

f .spaced from said first part, said locking element er are in locked relation the supporting element is spaced from the spring member andres a reinterlocking with said rotary member when said rmember is turned to fastened position, and a supporting member having end portions secured to said first part. and a raised portion intermediate said ends, said raised portion underlying said locking element and normally spaced a Predetermined distance therefrom, said raised porf tion being adapted to engage said Spring member to limit movement of the same under forces -tending to move said spring in the direction of said first part while said rotary member and spring member are in fastened relation.

4. A fastener comprising a plurality of defiectable spring arms, a stud lhaving locking instrumentalities adapted to project between the spring arms to deflect the same, and a separate f rigid bridge member underlying the spring arms and adapted to abut the arms when the same are deected for resisting further deflection there- 5.l A fastener comprising a member having a `plurality of deflectable spring portions, a stud and l. In a fastener device of the rotary operative type, a spring member adapted to be secured to one of the parts to be fastened, a rotary member adapted to be secured to another of the parts to be fastened, one of said members having a camv and a locking seat and the other of said members having a locking member maintained in said seat under spring tension when said rotary member is t turned to fastened position, and a supporting member arrangedwith relation to said spring to l prevent compression of the'spring to any appreciable extent greater than the height of the cam and thereby being adapted to engage said spring member to limit movement of the same under forces tending to movelsaid spring in the direction of said supporting member while said rotary member and spring member are in fastened relation while permitting fastening and unfastening of the device.

2. In a fastener device of the rotary operativ typefa spring member adapted to be secured to one of the parts to befastened, a rotary member adapted to be secured to another of the parts to be fastened, lnterengaging elements providedby said members adapted to interlock when .the rotary member is turned to fastened position, and

a supporting member adapted to b e secured to.'

one of said parts so as normally to underlie said spring member in spaced relation thereto when the fastened members are engaged, said supporting member being adapted to engage said spring' member to limit movement of the same under forces tending to move said spring in the'direction of said supporting member while said spring member and rotary member are in .fastened relation.

3. A fastener installation 'comprising in combination two parts to be secured together, the

first oir said Darts having an opening therein, a`

spring member secured to said first part, a rotary member carried by the second of said parts and extending through said first` part, said spring member having its ends secured to said first part having locking instrumentalities adapted to projectbetweenthe spring portions -to deflect the same, and a separate rigid bridge member underlying the spring portions and adapted to abut said portionsv when the same are deflected for resisting further deflection thereof.

6. A fastener adapted for detachably connecting a plurality of apertured parts which com prises a spring member adapted to be carried by the innermost part having seat portions in spaced relation from said innermost part,.a separate apertured bridge member spanning the'aperture in said innermost part and thrusting against the innermost p art to provide a stii abutment surface under the seat portions, a locking stud rotatably mounted iri the outermost part and projecting through the bridge vmember into the space between the seat portions and locking instrumentalities on said stud member cooperating with said seat portions to draw the same toward the bridge member, said bridge member adapted to abut said seat portions upon further deflection thereof to stiien the spring resistance under tension load.

-said embossments to draw the same toward the bridge member, said bridge member adapted to abut said embossments uponv further deflection thereof to stiffen the spring resistance under tenl sion load.

8. In a fastener device for detachably connecting a plurality of parts including a spring member and a locking lstud adapted to cooperate therewithsthe improvement which comprises a bridge mmber'adapted to receive the locking stud freely therethrough and defining a` rigid abutment surface under saidI spring thrusting against one of the parts.

HARRY A; MACKIE.

anda locking element intermediate said ends and 

